Vladimir Ponomarev

One of history's most enduring love stories. Many people believe that Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet is the greatest ballet score ever written. The Mariinsky Ballet shows at its dramatic finest passionate choreography for Romeo and Juliet.  The ballet has become a true classic of the 20th-century ballet repertory. With its emotional choreography and Prokofiev’s famous score, this moving tale of star-crossed lovers that is sure to stay with you long after you leave the Mariinsky Theatre. Libretto – Lavrovsky, Prokofiev, Radlov, Piotrovsky Romeo and Juliet is a ballet by Sergei Prokofiev based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Music from the ballet was extracted by Prokofiev as three suites for orchestra and as a piano work.

During a Christmas Eve party and a young girl, Clara, being given a nutcracker doll by her godfather, Drosselmeyer. Later in the evening when Clara sleeps, she finds herself in the midst of the Nutcracker’s battle against the Mouse King and his army of mice. Coming to Clara’s aid, the Nutcracker is transformed into a Prince and journeys with her to an enchanted island where spectacular celebrations are held in their honor. Pre-recorded at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg in December 2011, Wassili Vainonen’s version of the beloved holiday ballet is for the first time in 3-D in select theaters.

Starvinsky's ballets The Firebird and The Rite of Spring in the restored original choresography by Michel Fokine (Firebird) and Vaslav Nijinsky (Rite of Spring).

This version of "The Nutcracker" gives the classic ballet a tragic spin, with Masha (instead of Clara) now the unloved, unappreciated daughter of the Town Council President. At a Christmas party, Masha is given a seemingly alive Nutcracker by her Uncle Drosselmeyer, and Masha instantly is enchanted with it. The toys come to life at midnight, and after Masha helps the Nutcracker defeat attacking mice, he takes her to his kingdom, where he is later revealed to be a handsome Prince. The Prince and Masha fall deeply in love, but their "happy ending" has a morbid twist not found in any other "Nutcracker".

The bored Shahriyar is being entertained by odalisques and his favourite wife Zobeide. At the advice of his younger brother Shahzeman, who is convinced of Zobeide’s unfaithfulness, Shahriyar departs to go hunting. An orgy begins in the harem, and when it is at its height the Sultan returns unexpectedly. He orders his concubines, eunuchs and slaves be killed. Zobeide prays to him to spare her life, but, not receiving Shahriyar’s consent, kills herself.